Intel releases firmware update for Series 320 SSDs

CHIPMAKER Intel has released a firmware update for its Larson Creek Series 320 solid state disk (SSD) drives.

Intel's low-end Larson Creek SSDs have been a popular low-cost upgrade for many, with the 30GB SSD being well suited for use as an 'operating system drive'. However for the past month users have been reporting faults with their Intel SSDs, saying that following reboots the SSD was being recognised as a 8MB unit, a capacity that might have been useful if the year was 1974.

For Intel the problems with its Series 320 SSDs are doubly embarrassing. Not only did the company pride itself on its reputation for SSDs that it built through the superb X25 models but Series 320 SSDs are the only drives in its current range that have an Intel controller.

The past few months have been tough in the SSD market, with firms having to deal with dodgy controllers. The popular Sandforce 2200 series of controllers have garnered particular attention and even Intel got caught out with its controller. Nevertheless, Intel's fairly quick turnaround for the firmware update should help users retain faith in the chipmaker's SSDs. µ